Etty Bay is a tiny place and even though it doesn’t seem like it, it’s packed to the brim with unusual things to see and do. A tropical north Queensland road trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Etty Bay, and I’m about to tell you why.
When I was visiting the region, I had already spent at least a month around Cairns, the hinterland and the Daintree Rainforest. One thing I hadn’t spotted yet, but really wanted to see, was a cassowary in the wild! So I did some research and found out that Etty Bay is one of the best places to find one. So off I went, and sure enough – I saw one before I even got to the Bay.
Besides cassowaries, you might be wondering what else there is to do in such a small place. Don’t worry, I’ve done the hard work for you. Keep reading to find a list of awesome things to do in or near Etty Bay that are sure to entertain you for a few days while you’re looking for cassowaries!
1. Cassowaries!
Of course this list must start with the elusive cassowary. Etty Bay is one of the best places near Cairns to see one in the wild. It was the first place that I saw one of these incredible creatures during my time in Queensland, and I saw two within the first 10 minutes of being there!
The cassowary is a flightless bird that is native to the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, the Aru Islands and north-eastern Australia. Their populations are very limited due to the niche habitats they live in. They feed 90% on fruits and are vital in seed dispersal of a variety of rare rainforest fruit trees. No other animals are able to eat or digest some of the strange rainforest fruits, so the cassowary plays an important role in eating and dispersing the seeds, allowing these plant species to continue to exist.
Fascinated as we are by these ancient birds, they have an unfortunate label as the ‘world’s most dangerous bird’. I can definitely see why, but I admire them, nonetheless. They are threatened by human interaction and habitat destruction – all the more reason to keep your distance. Vehicle strikes are a leading cause of cassowary death in Queensland, and wild boar and domestic dogs significantly threaten cassowary young.
We must do everything we can to ensure we don’t further impact the dwindling cassowary population in Queensland. Ways you can help save the cassowary are:
- Take note of cassowary signs when driving, and do not speed
- Drive cautiously through the area – I drove past a cassowary that was walking along a narrow winding road just before Etty Bay. I was going slow enough to stop and allow it to move past
- Do not approach a cassowary, and do not attempt to feed them
- Put all your food scraps in the bin, do not leave any scraps or rubbish on the ground
- Keep as much distance as possible from them, and slowly back away (without turning your back) if one approaches you
- Remember that they are wild animals – they need space. If you get too close for their comfort they will not hesitate to defend themselves.
When I visited Etty Bay in August it was cassowary breeding season. The hosts at the caravan park said that it was unlikely we would see any during our visit, but we were lucky enough to be graced with a quick visit. No doubt the cassowaries at Etty Bay have become used to picking up people’s food scraps even though most people do the right thing and don’t feed them.
Seeing a cassowary in the wild was an insane experience – I was in awe of these huge ancient birds, just doing their thing and keeping the biodiversity of the rainforest alive!
2. Enjoy a tropical ocean swim
Etty Bay Beach is a perfect family friendly place to take a lovely swim in the warm, tropical ocean. During busy periods the local surf lifesaving club will be on patrol and will usually have their red & yellow swimming flags out.
I loved rolling out of the bed in the mornings, my feet straight into the sand, and going for a refreshing swim.
During the summer months, stingers will be prevalent. There will typically be a stinger net out during the season, so make sure that you swim inside the net at all times – stings can be painful or even life-threatening
3. Visit Murdering Point Winery
Have you ever heard of pineapple port? Or black sapote liqueur? If you’re a fruit or wine lover, Murdering Point Winery is just the place for you. Head 25 minutes south of Etty Bay Beach along Bruce Highway to find the winery.
The winery is situated on a working sugar cane farm and they make all their wines onsite. They’ve got a viewing window behind the tasting shop where you can see all the action. Head inside the shop to get a guided tasting of their wines, where you can learn all about the fruits, bush tucker, and the stories and history that inspired the owners.
Where else in the world can you find award-winning red and white wines made from Davidson Plum, lychee, passionfruit, jaboticaba, banana or mulberry?
The cellar door is open 7 days a week from 9.30am to 5pm, and you can visit for a tasting any time without a booking. Head to their website to buy a bottle of their best fruit wine, or to find out more.
4. Stay a night at the ultimate beachfront spot – Etty Bay Caravan Park
The Etty Bay Caravan Park is the only place at Etty Beach you can stay the night…and it won’t disappoint. They’ve got accommodation to suit almost anyone, from campsites to cabins. You will be able to see the ocean from almost any site or cabin in the park, and nothing in Etty Bay is more than a 3 minute walk away.
I’ve visited twice and both times stayed at an unpowered campsite. The sites are quite small and tightly packed, but the place is so quiet that it didn’t really bother me. We watched a few big caravans and camper trailers get reserved into some very tight spots…not for the faint hearted! If you do have a larger vehicle or caravan, I would recommend speaking with the managers on the phone before you make your booking to request their biggest or most easily accessible sites. Unpowered campsites start at $35, and powered campsites start at $45.
You could experience Etty Bay in a little more luxury by booking one of their new ‘Couples Cabins’ – which are super cool sea-container tiny-homes. These start at $160 per night. They also offer beachfront cabins for the same price. If you have a slightly larger crowd, they’ve got family cabins which sleep 4 and cost $140 per night.
My biggest tip for visiting Etty Bay would be to make your booking well in advance. It is a very small but very popular place. It is extremely unlikely that you will be able to scoop up a booking for the day you arrive.
Although the amenities are limited, the best thing about Etty Bay Caravan Park is that the place is tiny and offers a rare opportunity to have a less commercial and more laid-back experience. They’ve got a newly refurbished shower/toilet block, free wifi at the general store, a laundry, and public BBQs on the beach. It’s the perfect place to slow down and simply exist where you are.
5. Check out the Australian Sugar Heritage Centre
The closest activity to keep you busy while you visit Etty Bay is the Sugar Heritage Centre. It’s just a 10 minute drive from Etty Bay Beach and a visit will cost $12 for adults and $6 for children.
You can learn all about the history of Queensland’s extensive sugar cane farming industry, see the old machinery they used to use for harvesting, and learn about how sugar is made. It’s open 7 days a week – check their opening hours and plan your visit via their website.
6. Get up close and personal with the other wildlife
Cassowaries are not the only remarkable rainforest creatures walking the sands of Etty Bay. Go for a walk along the beach and through the forest to discover a huge variety of much smaller animals.
I was lucky enough to witness the mating behaviour of a beautiful, butterfly-like Zodiac Moth right on the beach. We were wandering around the shore, climbing over the rocks and admiring the huge wall of lush green overhanging the beach when I spied the striped yellow and black wings. We watched in awe for the next 10 minutes as the moth fluttered its wings erratically and interacted with a mate.
We also spotted plenty of little crabs hiding in the shallow rock pools on the beach, as well as spying countless birds darting in and out of the forest.
7. Visit Innisfail – Warrina Lakes Park & Botanical Gardens
Head just 20 minutes north of Etty Bay Beach towards Innisfail where you can find the beautiful Warrina Lakes Park and Botanical Gardens. It’s the perfect place to explore a variety of lush gardens and have a picnic with the kids.
8. Go skydiving near Innisfail – Cairns’ Closest Skydiving centre
If you’re an adrenaline junkie then you may consider jumping out of a plane (with a parachute of course) during your visit to Etty Bay. The Cairns Skydivers Airfield is the closest skydiving centre to Cairns, and it’s only a 20 minute drive from Etty Bay.
A skydive with Cairns Skydivers could see you soaring through the sky at 200km/h at 14,000 feet, taking in the views of the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Listed rainforest. Head over to their website to make a booking!
9. Climb atop the Mamu Tropical Skywalk
If you head up into the hinterland from Etty Bay, you can experience the wonder of the rainforest at the Mamu Tropical Skywalk (and you won’t have to jump out of a plane to see if from above!). The Mamu Skywalk is a 35 minute drive west of Etty Bay along the Palmerston Highway.
The Skywalk is a specially-built tropical boardwalk that is more than just a walkway. Allow at least an hour and a half to experience everything that it has to offer – staff and volunteers that have endless information to share about the rainforest, informative signs, and the opportunity to ascend a huge stairway that will make you feel like you’re a bird in the top of a tree. Learn about the ecosystems, soils, and the global importance of Queensland’s Wet Tropics, plus the long cultural history of the area.
Keep an eye out for the stunning Ulysses butterfly and cross your fingers that you’ll see a forest dragon or jungle python hiding amongst the leaves.
Entry is $30 for adults and $18 for children, and they also offer package deals if you’re planning on visiting Paronella Park too. Go to their website to find a wealth of information about the rainforest and to plan your visit.
10. Marvel at Paronella Park
Paronella Park is one of Queensland’s most popular and renowned attractions, and it takes very little effort to understand why. I absolutely loved visiting the place and revelling in the wonder of José Paronella’s visions for a wonderland in the jungle.
José Paronella was a Spaniard who purchased the Mena Creek property in 1929. He had grand visions for creating a castle and providing a place for the public to come and enjoy, swim, play tennis and relax. He opened it up to the public in 1935 and it came alive. He built a tunnel, theatre, grand hall, bridges, a swimming pool and even a waterfall.
Today, the owners are working to restore his grand buildings and continue to keep the story alive. You can walk through the grounds and discover not only the endless things he built, but also walk among the meticulously planted botanical gardens.
It is a family-run business and you will truly feel like you are part of the story when you visit. Paronella Park is only a 25 minute drive from Etty Bay, so it’s perfect for a day trip. If you want to stay a little longer they also have an awesome caravan park and some cabins onsite – which comes with the added benefit of being able to wander through the grounds on a night tour! Check out their website to make your booking and learn more.
11. Visit Charley’s Chocolate Factory
Any chocolate freak will be in their element at Charley’s Chocolate Factory. It’s located 30 minutes south of Etty Bay and is not a stereotypical chocolate factory experience.
Charley’s boasts a completely in-house supply chain – they grow their cacao onsite and turn it into chocolate right there on the property. They run tours so that you can learn all about the process, from touching the cacao pods on the trees to seeing how the chocolate is made in their factory.
They are open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and tour bookings are essential. Tours run for 2 hours and cost $39 for adults and $25 for children. Head to their website to make your booking, buy some of their delicious chocolate, or read about their industry initiatives and the research projects they support.
12. Go on a Croc Cruise
Hoping to see a mighty saltwater crocodile during your time in north Queensland? Jump aboard a boat with Snapping Tours Innisfail to see one of these prehistoric reptiles in the flesh. Innisfail is only a 20 minute drive north of Etty Bay, and from here you can board a boat to cruise along the Johnstone River.
Pick a Wildlife Tour if you’re in the mood to learn all you can about the incredible ecosystem of the Johnstone River, or opt for a Sunset Party Cruise to enjoy the natural beauty alongside a licensed boat bar! Bookings are fully online and must be made prior to arrival – you can book on their website.
13. Get your feet sandy by going for a long walk on Etty Bay Beach
No visit to Etty Bay would be complete without experiencing the simple joy of a walk on the beach. Let the warm ocean water lap over your ankles and take the time to open your senses to the abundance of life around you. Feel the sand beneath your feet, hear the bird calls fill the air around you, and watch the sky turn a soft pink as the sun sets.
Do you know any other great things to do in Etty Bay?
If I haven’t convinced you that Etty Bay is worth a visit by now, then I probably never will! I’d love to hear your stories about the place and any other great things to do in the area that I haven’t included in this list – leave a comment below.